Harness natural lighting

But one of the most predictable things about mother nature is that it’s unpredictable, and so natural lighting is too, often changing from one minute to the next. You need to be prepared for every eventuality.

As the sun changes and moves throughout the day, it affects the way the natural light shines through the window. Finding the best light to shoot your product photos can be a challenge at the best of times. Keep an eye on how the light changes throughout the day to figure out when the sweet spot is for that particular location.

There are three terms you should know when illuminating your subject with natural lighting:

Front-lit is when indirect natural light hits a product head-on.

Backlit is when it hits your subject from behind.

Side-lit is when the light comes from either side of the product.

Whatever angle of lighting you prefer, it’s important to note that each one casts a shadow on the opposite side.

To get started using natural light, place a table or chair next to a large window and prop a sweep (a large white sheet) against the wall. This will provide just the right combination of good lighting and soft shadows. The trick is to avoid direct sunlight as it will result in dark, unsightly shadows.

If you’re using a reflector for the first time, you can control the amount of natural light that bounces back by moving your reflector either further away or closer to your product. Using a white surface helps reflect natural light from the sun back onto the product.

Watch where the light is coming from, and bounce the light in the opposite direction. You should shoot directly next to your light source at a 90-degree angle, then reflect that light back onto the subject. This will give your image as much light as possible while also eliminating as much shadow as possible.

That’s all there is to it. With some trial and error, you can get Instagram-worthy photos in your own home.